Spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle. The article consists of first and second means for holding the opposite ends of the spark plug in contact with the frame member of the motorcycle and a stretchable cord connected between the first and second means which is wrapable around the frame member and connectable to the first and second means to secure same and the spark plug to the frame member.

United States Patent Hinkley Dec. 3, 1974 SPARK PLUG HOLDER FORMOTORCYCLES AND THE LIKE Robert L. Hinkley, 14160 Red Hill Ave., Tustin,Calif. 92680 Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 Appl. N0.: 408,056

Inventor:

US. Cl. 248/231, 248/314 Int. Cl. A47f 13/00 Field of Search 248/226 E,316 D, 314,

248/311, 313, 231; 24/3 M, 81 TH References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS10/1955 Johannsen 248/231 8/1959 Jones t 248/231 3/1965 Copell i, 24/3 MPrimary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerDarrell MarquetteAttorney, Agent, or FirmPhilip M. Hinderstein 5 7] ABSTRACT An articleof manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to acylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of amotorcycle The article consists of first and second means for holdingthe opposite ends of the spark plug in contact with the frame member ofthe motorcycle and a stretchable cord connected between the first andsecond means which is wrapable around the frame member and connectableto the first and second means to secure same and the spark plug to theframe member.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEL DEB SPARK PLUG HOLDER FORMOTORCYCLES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTlOn 1. Field of theInvention The present invention relates to a spark plug holder formotorcycles and the like and, more particularly, to an article ofmanufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to acylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of amotorcycle.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known by those who own andride motorcycles that the spark plugs thereof deteriorate rapidly andoften fail suddenly. Since most motorcycles have only a few cylinders,the failure of a single spark plug may either substantially reduce thepower of the motorcycle or render it totally inoperative.

Thus, it is generally considered to be a good practice to keep extraspark plugs handy to replace those that might fail when a servicestation or other repair location is not handy. Heretofore, these extraspark plugs have usually been carried in the riders pocket, but this isobviously unsatisfactory since the rider often forgets to take a sparkplug with him or ends up carrying the spark plug with him wherever hegoes. While some motorcycles are provided with carrying pouches of onesort or another, most motorcycles obviously do not have such a feature.

With these problems in mind, it has been proposed to provide an articlefor removably securing a spark plug to the frame of a motorcycle.However, previously developed articles have been unduly complex,difficult to install and remove froom the motorcycle, and sufficientlybulky to get in the 'way of the rider. In addition, the means forattachment of available spark plug holders has often caused scratchingor marring of the motorcycle finish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like whichsolves the problems encountered heretofore. The present spark plugholder .is simple and easily attachable to and removable from amotorcycle. The present spark plug holder' is quite streamlined andholds the spark plug close to the motorcycle frame so that it does notinterfere with the rider. Furthermore, the present spark plug holder ismade from one piece of rubber-like material which eliminates anypossibility of scratching or otherwise marring the finish of themotorcycle.

Briefly, the present spark plug holder for motorcycles and the likecomprises first means including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plugreceiving cap and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame memberengaging base, the axes of the cap and the base being parallel, secondmeans including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving capand a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, theaxes of the second cap and the second base being parallel, the first andsecond means being adapted to be positioned with the axes of the firstcap and the first base coaxial with the axes of the second cap and thesecond base, respectively, and third means consisting of an elongated,resilient, stretchable member interconnecting the first and secondbases, the stretchable member being wrapable OBJECTS It.is therefore anobject, of the present invention to provide a spark plug holder formotorcycles and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article ofmanufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to acylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of amotorcycle.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a sparkplug holder which is simple in construction and easy to install andremove from a motorcycle frame.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spark plugholder which supports the spark plug close to the motorcycle frame sothat it does not interfere with the rider..

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a sparkplug holder made from a single piece of rubber-like material.

Still other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from areading of the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate likeparts in the several figures and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. is a perspective view of thepresent spark plug holder shown in operative position securing aconventional spark plug to a tubular support member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the spark plug holder of FIG.1; and

FIG 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 33 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown a spark plug holder, generally designated 10, forremovably securing a conventional spark plug 11 to a cylindrical supportmember 12, such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle. For thispurpose, spark plug holder 10 includes first means, generally designated15, including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap 16and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base 17. Cap16 and base 17 are preferably made integrally and connected by a commonthroat l8. Throat l8 maintains cap 16 and base 17 with their axesparallel.

Cap 16 is adapted to receive the threaded electrode end 13 of spark plug11. In order to protect the electrodes of spark plug 11 so as to preventdamage thereto, cap 16 is preferably closed at one end thereof, as shownat 19, threaded electrode 13 being insertable into the open end of cap16. Finally, first means 15 may also include a tab ZO'made integral withcap 16, on the side thereof opposite to throat 18, to assist inmanipulating cap 16 onto threaded electrode 13 of spark plug Spark plugholder includes second means, generally designated 25, including asecond, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap 26 and a second,hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base 27. Cap 26 and base27 are preferably made integrally and connected by a common throat 23.Throat 28 maintains cap 26 and base 27 with their axes parallel.

Cap 26 is adapted to receive the porcelain insulator 14 of spark plug11. Since no special protection is required for this end of spark plug11, cap 26 is preferably open at both ends thereof, as shown in FlG. 2.Pi nally, second means 25 may also include a tab 29 made integral withcap 26, on the side thereof opposite to throat 28, to assist inmanipulating cap 26 onto insulator 14 of spark plug 11.

For reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter, throats 18 and 28of first and second means 15 and 25, respectively, are not as long asbases 17 and 27., respectively. Thus, portions 17' and 27 of bases 17and 27, respectively, extend beyond first sides of throats 18 and 28,respectively, as shown most clearly in FlG. 2.

Spark plug holder 10 further includes third means 30, consisting of anelongated, resilient, stretchable member, interconnecting base 17 andbase 27. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, theoppo site ends of member 30 are connected to the respective side edgesof bases 17 and 27.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, first. second,and third means 15, 25, and 30, re spectively, are manufactured as asingle, one-piece. integral unit, as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, suchunit is manufactured from a resilient, stretchable, rubber orrubber-like material which may be readily manipulated onto spark plug 11and which will hold spark plug 11 tightly once in place.

OPERATION Spark plug holder 10 is adapted to be used to removably securespark plug 11 to cylindrical support mem ber 12. Thus, the radius ofcurvature of bases 17 and 27 will be approximately equal to the averageradius of curvature found in the tubular frame members of motorcycles.However, by making means 15 and from a resilient material, bases 17 and27 may be readily deformed to approximately conform to the radius ofcurvature of any tubular member.

By holding the body of spark plug 11 in one hand and tab 20 of firstmeans 15 in the other hand, threaded electrode 13 may be readilyinserted into the open end of first cap 16 until it is securelypositioned therein. Thereafter, tab 20 may be released and tab 29 ofsecond means grasped to manipulate porcelain insulator 14 of spark plug11 into and through cap 26 of means 25. Thereafter, means 15 and 25 areadapted to be positioned adjacent support member 12 with the innersurfaces of bases 17 and 27 in contact wit the outer surface of supportmember 12 and with the opposite ends of member 30 on the same side ofsupport member 12. In this position, the axes of cap 16 and 26 arecoaxial and the axes of bases 17 and 27 are also coaxial.

Member 30 is now wrapable around frame member 12 so as to bring thecentral portion thereof to the other side of support member 12 from theopposite ends thereof. Furthermore, the length and stretchability ofmember 30 are such that the central portion thereof is positionable overspark plug 11 so that the central portion thereof is again on the sameside of support mem ber 12 as the ends thereof. In this position, asshown in H65. 1 and 3, the body of member 30 passes over por tions 17'and 27' of bases 17 and 27, respectively, securely holding bases 17 and27 in contact with support member 12. Furthermore, the central portionof member 30 is held by throats 18 and 28 so as to prevent theinadvertent removal from means 15 and 25.

It can therefore be seen that in accordance with the present invention,there is provided a spark plug holder 10 for motorcycles and the likewhich solves the problems encountered heretofore in carrying a sparespark plug with a motorcycle. Spark plug holder 10 is simple and easilyattachable to and removable from a motorcycle. Spark plug holder 10 isquite streamlined and holds spark plug 11 close to the motorcycle frameso that it does not interfere with the rider. Furthermore. spark plugholder 10 is made from one piece of rubberlike material which eliminatesany possibility of scratching or otherwise marring the finish of themotorcycle.

While the invention has been described with respect to the preferredphysical embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications andimprovements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that other tech niques may be used for securing the central portionof member 30 to spark plug 11 once member 30 is wrapped around framemember 12. Thus, an additional member may be provided for connecting thecentral portion of member 30 to the body of spark plug 11 or to means 15or 25 to prevent the removal of spark plug holder 10 from support member12. However, the connecting means shown in HQ. 1 is presently consideredto be the preferred embodiment since no additional ap paratus isrequired. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is notto be limited by the specific illustrative embodiment but only by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional sparkplug to a cylincrical support member such as a frame member of amotorcycle comprismg:

first means including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receivingcap and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base.the axes of said cap and said base being parallel;

second means including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plugreceiving cap and a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame memberengaging base, the axes of said second cap and said second base beingparalle, said first and second means being adapted to be positioned withthe axes of said first cap and said first base coaxial with the axes ofsaid second cap and said second base, respectively; and

third means consisting of an elongated. resilient,

stretchable member interconnecting said first and second bases, saidstretchable member being wra pable around said frame member andconnectable to said first and second means to secure said first andsecond bases to said frame member.

2. An article according to claim 1 wherein said first cap is adapted toreceive the threaded electrode of said spaark plug and wherein saidsecond cap is adapted to receive the porcelain insulator of said sparkplug.

3. An article according to claim 2 wherein said first cap is open at oneend and closed at the other end to function as a protective cap for theelectrodes of said spark plug.

4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein said secondcap is open at both ends theroef to permit passage therethrough of saidporcelain insulator of said spark plug.

5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first,second, and third means are manufactured from a resilient, stretchable,rubber or rubberlike material.

6. An article of manufacture according to claim 5 wherein said first,second, and third means are made integrally as a one-piece unit.

7. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first capand said first base are made integrally and connected by a commonthroat, and wherein said second cap and said second base are madeintegrally and connected by a common throat.

8. An article of manufacture according to claim 7 wherein the oppositeends of said stretchable member are connected to adjacent sides of saidfirst and second bases, and wherein the central portion of saidstretchable member is wrapable around said frame member and positionableover said first and second caps so as to contact said throats of saidfirst and second means on the sides thereof adjacent the said oppositeends of said stretchable member.

1. An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional sparkplug to a cylincrical support member such as a frame member of amotorcycle comprising: first means including a first, hollow,cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a first, hollow,semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of said cap andsaid base being parallel; second means including a second, hollow,cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a second, hollow,semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of said second capand said second base being paralle, said first and second means beingadapted to be positioned with the axes of said first cap and said firstbase coaxial with the axes of said second cap and said second base,respectively; and third means consisting of an elongated, resilient,stretchable member interconnecting said first and second bases, saidstretchable member being wrapable around said frame member andconnectable to said first and second means to secure said first andsecond bases to said frame member.
 2. An article according to claim 1wherein said first cap is adapted to receive the threaded electrode ofsaid spaark plug and wherein said second cap is adapted to receive theporcelain insulator of said spark plug.
 3. An article according to claim2 wherein said first cap is open at one end and closed at the other endto function as a protective cap for the electrodes of said spark plug.4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein said secondcap is open at both ends theroef to permit passage therethrough of saidporcelain insulator of said spark plug.
 5. An article of manufactureaccording to claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third means aremanufactured from a resilient, stretchable, rubber or rubber-likematerial.
 6. An article of manufacture according to claim 5 wherein saidfirst, second, and third means are made integrally as a one-piece unit.7. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first capand said first base are made integrally and connected by a commonthroat, and wherein said second cap and said second base are madeintegrally and connected by a common throat.
 8. An article ofmanufacture according to claim 7 wherein the opposite ends of saidstretchable member are connected to adjacent sides of said first andsecond bases, and wherein the central portion of said stretchable memberis wrapable around said frame member and positionable over said firstand second caps so as to contact said throats of said first and secondmeans on the sides thereof adjacent the said opposite ends of saidstretchable member.